The Penn State football team took a significant hit from transfer portal exits on Thursday afternoon. In what seemed like a flurry of players leaving the program the Nittany Lions had five players enter the transfer portal. On Friday, Penn State lost another scholarship player; however, his exit was not to the transfer portal. According to reports from On3, 2023 recruiting class wide receiver Carmelo Taylor is no longer with Penn State.
Penn State football WR leaves the program for undisclosed reasons
Carmelo Taylor was a four-star WR prospect from Roanoke, VA in the 2023 recruiting class for the Penn State football team. The On3 Industry Ranking had Taylor listed as the No. 7 player in Virginia in the 2023 cycle. His commitment came down to South Carolina, Virginia Tech, and Penn State. Ultimately, Taylor made his pledge official to Penn State on August 10th, 2022. Taylor was the only wide receiver commit in the 2023 cycle for the Nittany Lions.
He spent the 2023 season with the Nittany Lions where he redshirted after appearing in two games. On Friday, Sean Fitz of Blue White Illustrated confirmed that Carmelo Taylor is no longer with the Penn State football team. Taylor is not in the transfer portal and his departure reason was not disclosed to On3. Taylor is the 4th wide receiver to leave the program this spring.
Penn State is down several receivers
One of the biggest areas of concern heading into the 2024 season is depth and talent at wide receiver for Penn State. In the spring window alone the Nittany Lions have lost their leading receiver from last season KeAndre Lambert-Smith who has since transferred to Auburn.
Penn State has also lost wide receiver and special teams ace Malick Meiga to the transfer portal. Then, on Thursday the Nittany Lions had Malik McClain enter the transfer portal after one season in Happy Valley. McClain transferred in from Florida State ahead of the 2023 season and accounted for 6 catches for 71 yards and 1 touchdown last season.
Now, the Nittany Lions have lost 2023 recruiting class member Carmelo Taylor. It will be interesting to see if Penn State begins to pursue any other receivers in the transfer portal over the next few weeks to build additional depth.
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